MORNING MINUTE: Akiel Denkins Allegedly Shot In The Back Seven Times During Police Chase

Community Mourns The Loss Of A Father Shot In The Back During Police Chase

Rolanda Byrd is outraged that her son, Akiel Denkins, 24, was allegedly shot by North Carolina police on Monday, February 29th. Reportedly, Denkins was wanted for a felony drug charge. He had been arrested eight times in 2015 for felony cocaine possession, carrying a concealed gun, assault on a female and resisting a public officer. The victim led police on a foot chase and Officer D.C. Twiddy, 29, shot and killed the suspect. Twiddy, has been placed on administrative leave pending the results of an independent investigation. While a gun was found in proximity to Denkins body, it’s unknown whether Twiddy was aware that he was armed. The Raleigh Police Department’s internal affairs unit is currently investigating the shooting and have released minimal details about the events leading up to Denkins’ death. Authorities hadn’t even released the name of the victim, it was Byrd that initially began to share details about the incident with the media. “He was shot seven times by a white officer with a bald head,” Byrd said. “Everybody seen it. They ain’t gonna get away with this one. There’s at least 40 eyewitnesses out here” she added. NY Daily News

Dangerous Birth Control Will Remain On Market Amidst Backlash

There are nearly 30,000 members of the Facebook coalition, “Essure Problems” a community of women that have had similar side effects as a result of using the birth control Essure. The surgery-free sterilization device, which has been on the market for nearly 15 years, has been used by 750,000 women. The FDA has received over 5,000 complaints from users of Essure which is essentially a spring with flexible metal and polyester coils inserted into each of a woman’s fallopian tubes. Women have experienced intense pain, perforation of the uterus and even pregnancy as a result of using the product. According to Buzzfeed, the device was developed as a permanent birth control option so women who have experienced serious side effects and wanted the devices removed have come across a big roadblock: there is no official protocol from Bayer on how doctors can remove the coils. Bayer, the maker of Essure will continue to research the product and it will continue to be offered to women as a viable birth control option except it will now have a “black box warning”, the strongest warning label the agency can require. Members of the Facebook group have sense released a statement expressing their outraged at the FDA’s refusal to discontinue the product. “These studies could take several years, and leaving the device on the market will only put more women’s lives at potential risk.” Buzzfeed News

Infant Dies After Being Buried Alive In Snow Storm

The family of Halle Merrill is looking to raise $20,000 to cover the infant’s funeral expenses. Halle and two of her 7-year-old family members (who’s names have not been released) were buried under several feet of snow and large chunks of ice that had slid off the roof of an Idaho cabin. It took emergency responders nearly an hour to dig the children out of the snow. One of the girls had to be revived by emergency responders. According to reports, all three victims suffered broken bones and were initially unconscious They were airlifted to a hospital where the 7-year-olds remain in critical condition but Halle passed away from her injuries. “Remembering the sweet life of Halle Merrill. She was called home much too early but will be remembered by all those who loved her” is listed on the infant’s Fundly page. As on March 1, 165 donors have raised nearly $14,000 for the services which will also assist with expenses related to the recovery of the two survivors. Idaho State Journal

Former Reality Show Contestant Tries To Jump Start His Career With Stolen Money

Nathan Fagan-Gayle aka Starboy Nathan had a promising career as a pop star. After appearing on Season 9 of “X Factor: UK” he had a Top 40 singles with ‘Come into My Room’ and ‘Diamonds’. He was also touring with JLS and N-Dubz. The 29-year-old has fallen from grace as he is currently on trial for money laundering. Allegedly, he was one of eight men participating in a scam where they would call people pretending to be British police and they tell them that they were fraud victims. Fagan-Gayle was able to get over on one woman in particular, Elizabeth Curtis, 75 was told she need to transfer over nearly $30,000 to Fagan-Gayle’s account which he (acting as the police) would “keep safe” as they continued to “investigate” her case. He spent over $5,000 of Curtis’ money on clothes and the rest was going towards financing his music career. His account with Barclays banks was closed in 2014 over suspicion of fraud. Fagan-Gayla was arrested in London’s airport after returning from Los Angeles. His trial is currently on-going. Mirror